Those 70 percent may enhance their coverage moving forward, but for them, it’s already too late. The uninsured damage has been done. If history is any indication, the key for consumers is to avoid being among this 70 percent left staring at a claim that will never be processed or only partially paid.

Review your homeowners policy and understand what it does and does not cover. Many homeowners are unaware that damage caused by flooding resulting from a hurricane is not covered by their homeowners insurance. If you live in a coastal area, even if you are not in a low-lying area, you might want to consider purchasing flood insurance. Do not wait too long to do this, as most policies are usually not effective until after 30 days.

If you live in an area or state that is at a higher risk for wildfires, it’s important to make sure that your home inventory is kept up to date, and is stored in a safe location-consider keeping a copy in a secure digital location “in the cloud” so that even if your computer or laptop are damaged, you’ll still be able to access a copy. A safe deposit box or a fire-resistant safe are two options for physical copies.